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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Aidan Keena penalty sinks Sligo Rovers as St Patrick's Athletic snatch narrow win
Sligo Rovers will spend the summer break bottom of the Premier Division table. That's after a tenth minute penalty from their former striker Aidan Keena saw 2 Aidan Keena of St Patrick's Athletic scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the LOI win 2 St Patrick's Athletic and Stephen Kenny earned a hard fought win over Sligo Stephen Kenny's side should have made things more comfortable for themselves as they created the best of the chances in this one. Although Rovers substitute Francely Lomboto did have a chance in the 96th minute to take a late point, however the Galway man could only fire straight at Pat's net minder Joseph Anang. As has happened so often this season, Rovers made things tough for themselves by falling behind early on. Jay McClelland had forced Sam Sargeant into an early two-handed save with an effort from distance before ex-Rovers man Keena dispatched a tenth minute penalty after Simon Power. read more on football He's another former Showgrounds favourite, had collided with Jake Doyle-Hayes inside the Sligo area. Cian Kavanagh, who spent 2024 with Pat's, was unable to get any purchase on a Doyle-Hayes set piece as his attempted header trickled harmlessly wide of Joe Anang's goal. The Dubliners were left frustrated that they were unable to make their dominance count further given their control of the contest and lost centre half Sean Hoare to what seemed like a hamstring injury before the interval. Most read in Football Power passed up a couple of opportunities early in the second period, bending one around Sargeant's far post close to the hour. While Ronan Manning's shot after trojan work from Rovers' teen full-back Conor Reynolds was deflected on to the top of Anang's post by Joe Redmond. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict Pat's were struggling to shake Sligo off as the game wore on and Power should have had their second on 65 but couldn't stretch in time to meet Zach Elbouzedi's cross with an open goal on offer. Lennon dragged an effort from 20 yards narrowly wide with eight to go while Sligo sub Lomboto fluffed an opportunity in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the contest after a neat one-two with Jad Hakiki opened up the space in front of Anang. Sligo Rovers 0 - 1 St. Patrick's Athletic Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant 6; Conor Reynolds 7 (Kyle McDonagh 66) 6, John Mahon 6, Gareth McElroy 6, Reece Hutchinson 5; Jake Doyle-Hayes 6, Matty Wolfe 6 (Jad Hakiki 66) 6; Will Fitzgerald 5, Ronan Manning 6 (Francely Lomboto 78) 6, Owen Elding 6; Cian Kavanagh 5 (Wilson Waweru 45) 7. St Patrick's Athletic: Joe Anang 6; Ryan McLaughlin 6, Joe Redmond 6, Sean Hoare 6 (Tom Grivosti 44) 6, Anto Breslin 6; Jay McClelland 7, Jamie Lennon 6; Simon Power 6, Kian Leavy 7 (Luke Turner 96) 6, Zach Elbouzedi 6; Aidan Keena 6 (Conor Carty 86) 6. Referee: Neil Doyle 6. Star man: McClelland (Pat's) Attendance: 2,356.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Aidan Keena returns to haunt Sligo as St Pat's claim nervy win
Sligo Rovers will spend the summer break bottom of the Premier Division table after a tenth minute penalty from their former striker Aidan Keena saw St Patrick's Athletic pick up their first win in three with a nervy victory at the Showgrounds. Stephen Kenny's side should have made things more comfortable for themselves as they created the best of the chances in this one, though Rovers substitute Francely Lomboto did have a chance in the 96th minute to take a late point but could only fire straight at Pat's net minder Joseph Anang. The Saints haven't met expectations recently with just one win in the last five for one of the pre-season title favourites. Boss Kenny made no less than five changes in a hope to shift fortunes. Jamie Lennon, Jay McClelland, Ryan McLaughlin and former Sligo duo Keena and Simon Power were reinstated to the starting team. While Rovers made two changes from last week's narrow loss to Shels. Jake Doyle-Hayes and Ronan Manning returned to John Russell's midfield, as the home side sought just a second victory on home soil this year. As has happened so often this season, Rovers made things tough for themselves by falling behind early on. McClelland had forced Sam Sargeant into an early two-handed save with an effort from distance before ex-Rovers man Keena dispatched a tenth minute penalty after Power, another former Showgrounds favourite, had collided with Doyle-Hayes inside the Sligo area. The hosts struggled to find a way through a packed Pat's centre and had their only chance of the half on twenty minutes. Cian Kavangh, who spent 2024 with Pat's, was unable to get any purchase on a Doyle-Hayes set piece as his attempted header trickled harmlessly wide of Joe Anang's goal. The Dubliners were left frustrated that they were unable to make their dominance count further given their control of the contest and lost centre half Sean Hoare to what seemed like a hamstring injury before the interval. Power passed up a couple of opportunities early in the second period, bending one around Sargeant's far post close to the hour, while Manning's shot after trojan work from Rovers' teen full-back Conor Reynolds was deflected on to the top of Anang's post by Joe Redmond. Pat's were struggling to shake Sligo off as the game wore on and Power should have had their second on 65 minutes but couldn't stretch in time to meet Zach Elbouzedi's cross with an open goal on offer. Lennon dragged an effort from 20 yards narrowly wide with eight to go while Sligo sub Lomboto fluffed an opportunity in the sixth minute of added time after a neat one-two with Jad Hakiki opened up the space in front of Anang. Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Kyle McDonagh 66), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Matty Wolfe (Jad Hakiki 66); Will Fitzgerald, Ronan Manning (Francely Lomboto 78), Owen Elding; Cian Kavanagh (Wilson Waweru 45). St Patrick's Athletic: Joe Anang; Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond, Sean Hoare (Tom Grivosti 44), Anto Breslin; Jay McClelland, Jamie Lennon; Simon Power, Kian Leavy (Luke Turner 96), Zach Elbouzedi; Aidan Keena (Conor Carty 86). Attendance: 2,356.
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Daryl Powell wants Wakefield to learn from Hull KR's rise
Daryl Powell believes his resurgent Wakefield side can learn from the way Hull KR have gatecrashed the game's upper echelons as the two clubs prepare to face off in an intriguing Betfred Super League clash at the DIY Kitchens Stadium on Thursday. Newly-promoted Trinity will head into their top-flight homecoming on a high after kicking off their campaign with a 14-12 win over Leeds at Headingley on Saturday, while Rovers held their nerve to edge their opener against Castleford via golden point. The similarities between Powell's revitalised Wakefield, now under the ownership of local businessman Matt Ellis, and the journey Rovers have been on since they rebounded from their shock relegation to the Championship in 2016, are evident both on and off the field. 'Hull KR have done an awesome job getting themselves where they are,' said Powell. 'They had to battle their way out of the second tier and ever since then it's been a great evolution of the club to get them where they are now. 'Matt getting hold of this club has been an awesome thing to happen to Wakefield. We were humble in the Championship last year and that has given us a really solid foundation to go into this year and really challenge everyone and show no fear.' The introduction of IMG's new grading system in 2022 initially appeared designed to exclude clubs like Wakefield, whose quarter-century stay in the top flight came to an end the following year after 14 consecutive defeats from the start of the season. Instead the timely intervention of Ellis sparked a revolution, resulting in them romping through their season in second tier while a new 2,600 East Stand sprung up in the background, and their instant return sees them harbour realistic hopes of emulating Rovers' journey and pushing towards the play-off zone. Critical to Trinity's continued rise will be ex-Rovers forward Matty Storton, who left Craven Park for Belle Vue in the summer in what was a statement signing by Powell, and who will face his former club in the belief that his move can bring plenty of success. Storton, an impact player in the Rovers squad who played in both the 2023 Challenge Cup final loss to Leigh and last year's Grand Final defeat to Wigan, also acknowledged the comparisons with Rovers, whom he joined in 2021 and helped scrape a place in the play-offs for the first time in eight years. 'It is a similar feel but I think this team is a lot better than that time at KR,' said Storton. 'We struggled at first but we built on that, and with an owner who's putting a lot of money in, and great coaching staff and players, we can build here every year. 'I think things can happen at Wakefield. We've got a lot of young, hungry lads and old heads like Mike (McMeeken) and Tom Johnstone, and in the next couple of years hopefully we can achieve silverware. We've got a great environment to do that.' Storton, who was one of the top performers in his side's sterling win at Headingley, can prepare to play a much bigger part in his side's fortunes this season, after opting to depart Rovers primarily to ensure a more regular starting berth. In the next couple of years hopefully we can achieve silverware. We've got a great environment to do that Matty Storton 'He was only getting short stints last year and we see him as a bit of a bigger figure than that for us,' added Powell, who must cope without injured duo Matty Russell and Liam Hood. 'He's an awesome fella and the way he plays, he's no-nonsense, flat-out for however long he's on the field. He's been a great signing for us and I'm looking forward to seeing him play just as much as he's looking forward to playing on Thursday.'
